Fans are trekking to Arizona to see Prince’s legendary “Beautiful” purple piano

Prince’s Music Legacy Jam of Year

Prince broke free from Warner Bros in 1997 and hit the road to show the world.

His Jam of the Year Tour wasn’t just a comeback – it was a statement. At the heart of each show stood a purple Yamaha grand piano with “Beautiful” written in gold.

Prince danced on it and made it famous in his “Somebody’s Somebody” video. For 130 shows across America, this lavender piano became the symbol of his new freedom.

Today, this iconic instrument lives at the Musical Instrument Museum in Arizona, where music fans can see a piece of Prince’s purple revolution up close.

Prince Battled Warner Bros With “SLAVE” On His Face

Prince filed papers on December 22, 1995 to finish his contract with songs from his vault.

He showed up at shows with “SLAVE” written on his face, making a bold statement against record label control. He changed his name to a symbol back in 1993 as part of his fight against corporate rules.

His battles with Warner Bros were about creative control and his fast output versus the label’s slow release schedule.

The Final Albums That Set Him Free

“Chaos and Disorder” came out in July 1996 as the first of three contract albums using songs from Prince’s vault.

Warner Bros held onto “The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale” until 1999, but Prince got his freedom by late 1996.

During this time, he saved new songs for future release on his own. He set up a deal with EMI-Capitol to put out his post-Warner albums through his NPG Records label.

His Triple Album Shouted “I’m Free!”

Prince dropped his 36-song album “Emancipation” on November 19, 1996, marking his break from Warner Bros.

He made three discs with exactly 12 songs each running exactly 60 minutes. For the first time, Prince included cover songs that Warner bosses had banned before.

The album hit number 11 on Billboard and went double platinum.

Charity Shows Warmed Up His Performance Muscles

Prince started warm-up shows on January 7, 1997, at the Tower Theater to help homeless charities. He made appearances on Today Show and Rosie O’Donnell Show to create buzz.

These shows ran for six months with his new Power Generation lineup. The charity angle gave Prince a smooth way to get back to live shows after his label fights.

The Beautiful Purple Piano Became His Stage Centerpiece

A custom lavender Yamaha grand piano shell held a Roland A-90 keyboard for easy touring. Prince had “Beautiful” painted in gold script on both sides of the strong instrument.

The piano lid got extra support so Prince could dance on top during shows. This setup replaced his old touring rig that used a KX88 keyboard inside a different piano shell.

His Tour Launched With A Spectacular Stage Design

Opening night happened on July 21, 1997, at Pine Knob Music Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

Prince built a stage with platforms for keyboards and drums plus clear plastic amps next to entrance steps.

A giant Prince love symbol stood above the upper platform entrance. Each show started with Prince standing on his purple piano with a black mic singing “Jam of the Year.

Dancing Across The Piano Became His Signature Move

Prince often jumped onto his strong piano during high-energy songs. The “Somebody’s Somebody” music video showed his unique piano-top style.

The purple piano worked as both a musical tool and the center of his stage moves throughout his 100-minute shows.

This idea turned a normal piano into an extension of Prince’s stage identity.

Fans Packed 130 Shows Despite Few New Songs

The tour ran from July 1997 to January 22, 1998, with 130 shows across three legs lasting about 100 minutes each.

Prince played hits like “Purple Rain” and “1999” more often than new songs from “Emancipation.”

Shows opened with a recorded mix of Warner Bros hits as Prince took back his music catalog. The tour became a huge comeback.

Unique Outfits And Custom Instruments Completed His Look

Prince wore a bright green outfit with matching custom high-heeled shoes made by Cos Kyriacou.

Bass player Rhonda Smith gave Prince a custom “Black Power” Lākland bass guitar as a gift. The stage had floor lights that showed off Prince’s dance moves and guitar solos.

These visual elements added to his style through bold colors and personal instruments.

The Tour Kept Growing As Prince Celebrated Freedom

His first tour plan grew into multiple tour ideas continuing through 1998.

Prince used Ticketmaster for the first time but fought ticket scalping by announcing shows at the last minute. He canceled planned European dates for unknown reasons, keeping his focus on American venues.

The extended touring schedule let Prince avoid rushing back to studio recording commitments.

Visiting Musical Instrument Museum, Arizona

The Musical Instrument Museum at 4725 E Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix displays Prince’s custom lavender Yamaha grand piano with “Beautiful” written in gold.

You’ll also see his Black Power bass guitar and green stage outfit. General admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for kids 4-12.

The museum opens daily 9am to 5pm and provides wireless headsets that automatically tune to exhibits.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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